Oracle State Park to feature Master Gardeners in January

Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education continues its weekend events schedule in January with a Master Gardeners “Answer Table” on Jan. 25.

The park, which is open to the public on weekends through April, offers a variety of guided nature walks as well as the popular guided tours of historic Kannally ranch house.

A first-ever exhibit of paintings by self-taught cowboy artist Lee Kannally is displayed in the ranch house. Kannally (1888-1971) was one of five family members who established the ranch in the early 1900s. He took up painting as therapy after returning from service in WWI, where he suffered nerve damage due to gas poisoning while stationed in Siberia.

Gardening questions about plants, bugs, pests, or local horticulture are welcome at the Master Gardeners table on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Master Gardeners from SaddleBrooke are volunteers assisting the Cooperative Extension Service by providing home horticulture information that is endorsed by The University of Arizona. Their display will include handouts of gardening tips.

Guided bird walks with M.E. Flynn are scheduled for Saturdays, Jan. 4 and 11. Meet at 8:15 a.m. at the ranch house.

Guided tours of the ranch house begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the patio (weather permitting) and to hike park trails, including a 4-mile section of the Arizona Trail.

Park hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the gate fee is $7 per vehicle. Events are free with park admission and full information on programs is available on the internet at www.azstateparks.com/Parks/ORAC. Reservations for programs can be made at the park office 520-896-2425.